independent and effective investigations and reviews PIRC/00452/17 MARCH 2018 Report of a Complaint Handling Review in relation to Police Scotland
What we do We obtain all material information from Police Scotland and the applicant. We then use this information to examine the manner in which the complaint was dealt with and conclude whether the complaint was handled to a reasonable standard. In doing so, we consider factors such as: whether sufficient enquiries into the complaint have been carried out by Police Scotland; whether Police Scotland s response to the complaint is supported by the material information available; whether Police Scotland has adhered to the relevant policies, procedures and legal provisions in dealing with the complaint; whether Police Scotland s response is adequately reasoned; and where the complaint has resulted in Police Scotland identifying measures necessary to improve its service, that these measures are adequate and have been implemented. Finally, where we consider appropriate, we make recommendations, give reconsideration directions and identify learning points for Police Scotland. Sections 34 and 35 of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 ( the Act ) provide that the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner ( the PIRC ) may examine the manner in which particular kinds of complaints are dealt with by Police Scotland. 4
Executive Summary The Complaint The complaints in this case arose from the applicant s contact with the police in relation to an ongoing dispute between her family and the tenant of her brother s property. We considered a single complaint, namely that an officer lied to his superior as he stated that the applicant had contrived an allegation of indecent exposure to get a police response. Police Scotland s Decision As a result of its investigation into the complaint, Police Scotland did not uphold the applicant s complaint. Our Findings Having reviewed the handling of the complaint, we do not agree with Police Scotland s decision. We have found that Police Scotland did not handle the complaint to a reasonable standard. Consequently, we have made one recommendation to address the shortcomings identified in Police Scotland s response to the complaint. We recommend that Police Scotland reassesses the complaint on the basis of the points outlined herein. When doing so, Police Scotland should consider obtaining further accounts from the two officers concerned, in which they are asked to address the crux of this complaint. A fresh response should be provided to the applicant thereafter, which fully addresses her complaint and considers the points outlined herein. We expect our recommendation to be implemented by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report. independent and effective investigations and reviews
Background The applicant s uncle (Mr A) owned a property, in which the applicant s grandmother resided with her long term partner (Mr B). When the applicant s grandmother passed away in October 2016, issues arose with the tenancy arrangement. On 21 July 2017, various individuals were at the property in connection with the ongoing issues. This included Mr C, who was Mr B s son in law. The applicant stated that Mr C exposed himself to her. The applicant was on the telephone to her mum (Ms D) at the time, but hung up to take photographs of Mr C. The applicant has stated that she was only able to capture Mr C with his hands on his open zip. Constables E and F arrived at the property thereafter. The applicant showed Constable E the photographs she had taken. Constable E has stated that the photographs did not show what the applicant alleged. A short time later, Ms D phoned the applicant to see what was happening. According to Ms D, the applicant told her that the officers said they could not do anything because only she had witnessed the alleged incident. Ms D then phoned Sergeant G. Sergeant G stated that, before speaking with Ms D, Constable E had given him with a brief update but had not mentioned the alleged incident of exposure. After speaking with Ms D, Sergeant G contacted Constable E by radio and instructed that statements be obtained in relation to the alleged incident. Sergeant G then re-contacted Ms D. The applicant s statement was noted later that day. Later the same day, the applicant and Ms D spoke by telephone again. The applicant has stated that Ms D relayed her conversation with Sergeant G. Specifically, that Constable E had told Sergeant G that the indecent exposure did not happen. Ms D has also stated that she phoned Inspector H and told her what had happened. Specifically, that Mr C had exposed himself, that she believed he should be detained and that Sergeant G had said that the applicant only reported the incident to get a quick police response. At around 11.25 pm, Mr C was detained in terms of section 14 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 for offences under section 8 of the Sexual Offences Act 2009 and was thereafter arrested, cautioned and charged. On 24 July 2017, the applicant complained to Police Scotland via online form. Inspector J was appointed to investigate the applicant s concerns and met with her on 7 August 2017, to note her statement and agree a heads of complaint form with her. Chief Inspector K wrote to the applicant on 8 December 2017 to inform her of the outcome of her complaints. The applicant made three complaints to Police Scotland. Although this report only reviews one of the complaints, we consider another of the complaints to be relevant for background information purposes. Such complaint is that Constable E refused to deal with the allegation of indecent exposure until he was prompted by his supervisors. In his response, Chief Inspector K upheld the complaint, acknowledged that no action was taken until Sergeant G became involved and advised that the officer concerned
would be given counselling. Furthermore, the Complaint About the Police Report identified a learning outcome and recorded that the officers had a duty to carry out appropriate investigation regardless of any concerns they may have had relevant to the credibility of the allegation or the sufficiency of evidence available.
Complaint The applicant complained that Constable E lied to his superior, in that he stated that the applicant had contrived an allegation of indecent exposure to obtain a police response. Police Scotland s Handling of Complaint 1 [Not upheld by the police] As part of the investigation into this complaint, statements were obtained from the applicant, Mr A, Ms D, Constable E, Constable F and Sergeant G. Chief Inspector K s response stated that, in reviewing Sergeant G s account, it is clear that he formed the impression that Constable E doubted the applicant s allegation. Chief Inspector K also explained that Sergeant G provided an account of his telephone conversation with Ms D and said that his exchange with [Ms D] may have led her to believe [Constable E] doubted the allegation. Chief Inspector K assessed that neither Constable E nor Sergeant G provided an account whereby they stated that [the applicant] had lied. Chief Inspector K went onto advise that an officer s opinion on the credibility or otherwise of a complainers account is subjective and they are competently able to hold, express and report opinions relevant to credibility. He explained that, had Constable E believed the applicant s account was not credible, it would be his prerogative to relay such a concern to his supervisor. Chief Inspector K stated that this could not be considered a lie, but rather an opinion that cast doubt on the applicant s version of events. Chief Inspector K concluded that the allegation is not upheld. Our Review of Complaint 1 Ms D provides some support for the applicant s position, as she stated that she spoke to Sergeant G by telephone and he said that [the applicant] had said the exposure didn t happen and that she had said it to get a quicker response. Furthermore, given that Ms D indicated that the aforementioned telephone conversation may be relevant to this complaint, we consider that Police Scotland should have sought to obtain a recording of the call. As this did not happen, sufficient enquiry was not undertaken. We consider that Mr A s account also provides some support for the applicant s position. Although Mr A did not address this complaint directly, his statement appears to support on balance that Constable E believed that the applicant contrived the allegation. This is because Mr A stated that the officers didn t seem to be interested in dealing with the applicant s allegation and that it was quite clear that they were not going to do anything about it. Constable E did not address this complaint in his statement. Although Constable E stated that he had a discussion with Sergeant G about the indecent exposure allegation, he did not address the crux of the complaint, i.e. whether he advised Sergeant G that the applicant contrived the allegation to obtain a police response.
Sergeant G stated that he was not advised by Constable E of the indecent exposure allegation during a radio update, and only became aware of the applicant s allegation after receiving a telephone call from Ms D. Sergeant G stated that he then contacted Constable E by radio and got the impression that [Constable E] doubted the allegation. He did not, however, provide any further information as regards to why he got that impression or whether Constable E said anything to give him that impression. Sergeant G also stated that he contacted Ms D and, although he cannot remember the content of the call, he may have said something to her that gave her the impression that [Constable E] had lied regarding what had occurred. We consider that, although Sergeant G s comments are very relevant to the complaint, he has not actually addressed the crux of the complaint. Chief Inspector K s response correctly advised that Sergeant G stated that he got the impression that Constable E doubted the applicant s allegation. However, Chief Inspector K then said that Sergeant G stated he may have led Ms D to believe that Constable E doubted the applicant s allegation. As outlined above, Sergeant G actually stated that he may have said something to [Ms D] that gave her the impression that [Constable E] had lied regarding what had occurred. As such, the response did not accurately reflect the available evidence in this respect. Furthermore, Chief Inspector K assessed that neither Constable E nor Sergeant G provided an account whereby they stated that [the applicant] had lied. However, as noted above, neither Constable E nor Sergeant G addressed the crux of the complaint. As such, it is Chief Inspector K s comment is misleading and does not accurately reflect the available evidence. Chief Inspector K s response went on to say that, had Constable E believed the applicant s account was not credible, it would be his prerogative to relay such a concern to his supervisor. Chief Inspector K said that this could not be considered a lie, but rather an opinion that casts doubt on the applicant s version of events. However, as Constable E did not address whether he thought the applicant s allegation was credible or whether any such concerns were relayed to Sergeant G, Chief Inspector K s response appears to set out what Constable E should have done and not what he actually did. Accordingly, for the reasons outlined above, we do not consider that sufficient enquiry was undertaken or that Chief Inspector K s response adequately addresses the complaint. Our Conclusion We conclude that Police Scotland did not handle this complaint to a reasonable standard. We recommend that Police Scotland reassesses the complaint on the basis of the points outlined above. When doing so, Police Scotland should consider obtaining further accounts from Constable E and Sergeant G, in which they are asked to address the crux of the complaint. A fresh response should be provided to the applicant thereafter, which fully addresses her complaint and considers the points outlined herein. Amy Ferguson Review Officer Ilya Zharov Head of Review & Policy
What happens next We have a recommendation within our review. We expect our recommendation to be implemented within two months of date of this report. We will continue to liaise with the police until such time as we consider that it has implemented the recommendation to our satisfaction.